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Majani NG, Koster JR, Kalezi ZE, Letara N, Nkya D, Mongela S, Kubhoja S, Sharau G, Mlawi V, Grobbee DE, Slieker MG, Chillo P, Janabi M, Kisenge P. Spectrum of Heart Diseases in Children in a National Cardiac Referral Center Tanzania, Eastern Africa: A Six-Year Overview. Glob Heart 2024; 19:61. [PMID: 39100942 PMCID: PMC11295910 DOI: 10.5334/gh.1342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While communicable diseases have long been the primary focus of healthcare in Africa, the rising impact of paediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) cannot be overlooked. This research aimed to estimate the frequency and pattern of heart diseases in children who underwent their first echocardiography at a national cardiac referral hospital in Tanzania. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on children aged 0 to 18 years referred for first-time cardiological evaluation from January 2017 to December 2022. Retrieval of social and echocardiogram data and descriptive analysis were performed. Results There were 6,058 children with complete reports. Of these, 52.8% (3,198) had heart disease, of whom 2,559 (80%) had CHD, while (340/639; 53.2%) with acquired heart disease (AHD) had rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Children with CHD had a median age 1.0 years (IQR: 0.3-3.5) and were predominantly 51.2% male. Children with RHD had a median age 9.7 years (IQR: 3.2-13.8) with equal gender distribution. Shunt lesions were common in 1,487 (58.1%), mainly VSD 19.3%, PDA 19.1%, ASD 15.1%, and atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) 4.6%. Pulmonary valve stenosis was in 97 (3.8%). Around 35% (718) had cyanotic CHD, with TOF being most common (13.3%), followed by double outlet right ventricle (DORV) (3.6%). Compared to global average truncus arteriosus was higher in 69 (2.3%) children. In contrast, TGA and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) were lower than the estimated global average seen in 2.3% and 0.5% of the cases, respectively. Atresia of the right-side valves was more common (174 vs. 24), and approximately 40% of the patients referred for first-time echocardiographic evaluation required hospitalization. Conclusion Congenital heart disease is the primary cause of heart disease in children presenting at a national referral hospital, surpassing RHD. With its distinct distribution pattern, acyanotic lesions are more frequent than cyanotic heart diseases. The observed late referral tendencies suggest improving the referral system, enhancing CHD awareness among healthcare professionals, and instituting nationwide screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naizihijwa G. Majani
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joëlle R. Koster
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zawadi E. Kalezi
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Nuru Letara
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Deogratias Nkya
- Department of Pediatrics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Stella Mongela
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sulende Kubhoja
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Godwin Sharau
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Vivienne Mlawi
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Diederick E. Grobbee
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn. G. Slieker
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pilly Chillo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mohamed Janabi
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Peter Kisenge
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Hahka TM, Slotkowski RA, Akbar A, VanOrmer MC, Sembajwe LF, Ssekandi AM, Namaganda A, Muwonge H, Kasolo JN, Nakimuli A, Mwesigwa N, Ishimwe JA, Kalyesubula R, Kirabo A, Anderson Berry AL, Patel KP. Hypertension Related Co-Morbidities and Complications in Women of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Brief Review. Circ Res 2024; 134:459-473. [PMID: 38359096 PMCID: PMC10885774 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.324077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in women, and sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have some of the highest rates of hypertension in the world. Expanding knowledge of causes, management, and awareness of hypertension and its co-morbidities worldwide is an effective strategy to mitigate its harms, decrease morbidities and mortality, and improve individual quality of life. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are a particularly important subset of hypertension, as pregnancy is a major stress test of the cardiovascular system and can be the first instance in which cardiovascular disease is clinically apparent. In SSA, women experience a higher incidence of HDP compared with other African regions. However, the region has yet to adopt treatment and preventative strategies for HDP. This delay stems from insufficient awareness, lack of clinical screening for hypertension, and lack of prevention programs. In this brief literature review, we will address the long-term consequences of hypertension and HDP in women. We evaluate the effects of uncontrolled hypertension in SSA by including research on heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, and HDP. Limitations exist in the number of studies from SSA; therefore, we will use data from countries across the globe, comparing and contrasting approaches in similar and dissimilar populations. Our review highlights an urgent need to prioritize public health, clinical, and bench research to discover cost-effective preventative and treatment strategies that will improve the lives of women living with hypertension in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taija M Hahka
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology (T.M.H., A.L.A.B., K.P.P.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Rebecca A Slotkowski
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Anum Akbar
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Matt C VanOrmer
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Lawrence Fred Sembajwe
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Abdul M Ssekandi
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Agnes Namaganda
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Haruna Muwonge
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Josephine N Kasolo
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Annettee Nakimuli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A. Nakimuli), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Naome Mwesigwa
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (N.M., J.A.I., A.K.)
| | - Jeanne A Ishimwe
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (N.M., J.A.I., A.K.)
| | - Robert Kalyesubula
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Annet Kirabo
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (N.M., J.A.I., A.K.)
| | - Ann L Anderson Berry
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology (T.M.H., A.L.A.B., K.P.P.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Kaushik P Patel
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology (T.M.H., A.L.A.B., K.P.P.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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3
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Lucron H, Brard M, d’Orazio J, Long L, Lambert V, Zedong-Assountsa S, Le Harivel de Gonneville A, Ahounkeng P, Tuttle S, Stamatelatou M, Grierson R, Inamo J, Cuttone F, Elenga N, Bonnet D, Banydeen R. Infant congenital heart disease prevalence and mortality in French Guiana: a population-based study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 29:100649. [PMID: 38124997 PMCID: PMC10733111 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Few studies have assessed the prevalence and mortality of simple or complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) in newborns. In Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), CHD epidemiology seems highly variable, with few population-based assessments and different methodologies between studies. To date, the situation in French Guiana, a French overseas territory located in South America between Brazil and Suriname, has never been described. Methods We analysed CHD prevalence, characteristics and related infant mortality in French Guiana, with a population-based registry analysis of all fetal and live birth CHD cases in infants under 1 year (January 2012-December 2016). Findings Overall, 33,796 births (32,975 live births) were registered, with 231 CHD (56 fetuses), including 215 live births. Most frequent CHD categories were anomalies of the ventricular outflow tract and extra-pericardial trunks, and ventricular septal defects. 18.6% (43/231) chromosomal or genetic anomalies, and 6.5% (15/231) terminations of pregnancy were observed. Total CHD prevalence was 68.4 [95% CI: 67.9-68.8] per 10,000, while live birth prevalence was 65.2 [95% CI: 64.7-65.7] per 10,000. Total infant mortality was 9.4/10,000 live births [95% CI 9.1-9.7], with highest rates for functionally univentricular hearts (FUH). Interpretation A distinct profile for CHD is highlighted in French Guiana with elevated mortality linked to FUH. A potential determinant of the recognized excess mortality risk might be the presence of chromosomal or genetic anomalies in about a fifth of all CHD. This helps us to better understand CHD burden in this part of South America and provides future keys towards reducing CHD-related infant mortality. Funding The authors received no financial support for the present research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Lucron
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Mélanie Brard
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Julie d’Orazio
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
- Neonatal and Pediatric Department, Hospital Center Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Laurence Long
- Neonatal and Pediatric Department, Hospital Center Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Véronique Lambert
- Fetal Unit. Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Center Franck Joly, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana, France
| | - Serge Zedong-Assountsa
- Neonatal and Pediatric Department, Hospital Center Franck Joly, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana, France
| | - Alix Le Harivel de Gonneville
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Patrick Ahounkeng
- Fetal Unit. Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Center Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Saskia Tuttle
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Marianna Stamatelatou
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Rory Grierson
- Neonatal and Pediatric Department, Hospital Center Franck Joly, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana, France
| | - Jocelyn Inamo
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
- Cardiac Pathology, Environmental Toxicity and Envenomations (PC2E) Team, UR5_3, Université des Antilles (University of the French West Indies), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Fabio Cuttone
- Antilles-Guyane M3C Pediatric Cardiology Center, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Narcisse Elenga
- Neonatal and Pediatric Department, Hospital Center Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Damien Bonnet
- M3C-Necker, Pediatric Cardiology Department, Necker Sick Children Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Rishika Banydeen
- Cardiac Pathology, Environmental Toxicity and Envenomations (PC2E) Team, UR5_3, Université des Antilles (University of the French West Indies), 97200, Fort de France, France
- Clinical Research Unit, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine Department, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), 97200, Fort de France, France
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4
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Jone PN, Gearhart A, Lei H, Xing F, Nahar J, Lopez-Jimenez F, Diller GP, Marelli A, Wilson L, Saidi A, Cho D, Chang AC. Artificial Intelligence in Congenital Heart Disease: Current State and Prospects. JACC. ADVANCES 2022; 1:100153. [PMID: 38939457 PMCID: PMC11198540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2022.100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The current era of big data offers a wealth of new opportunities for clinicians to leverage artificial intelligence to optimize care for pediatric and adult patients with a congenital heart disease. At present, there is a significant underutilization of artificial intelligence in the clinical setting for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of congenital heart disease patients. This document is a call to action and will describe the current state of artificial intelligence in congenital heart disease, review challenges, discuss opportunities, and focus on the top priorities of artificial intelligence-based deployment in congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ni Jone
- Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Addison Gearhart
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Howard Lei
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California, USA
| | - Fuyong Xing
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jai Nahar
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Gerhard-Paul Diller
- Department of Cardiology III-Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart Disease, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Adult Congenital Heart Centre and National Centre for Pulmonary Hypertension, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Register for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ariane Marelli
- McGill Adult Unit for Congenital Heart Disease Excellence, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Laura Wilson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida-Congenital Heart Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Arwa Saidi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida-Congenital Heart Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - David Cho
- Department of Cardiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anthony C. Chang
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California, USA
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Saacks NA, Eales J, Spracklen TF, Aldersley T, Human P, Verryn M, Lawrenson J, Cupido B, Comitis G, De Decker R, Fourie B, Swanson L, Joachim A, Brooks A, Ramesar R, Shaboodien G, Keavney BD, Zühlke LJ. Investigation of Copy Number Variation in South African Patients With Congenital Heart Defects. CIRCULATION. GENOMIC AND PRECISION MEDICINE 2022; 15:e003510. [PMID: 36205932 PMCID: PMC9770125 DOI: 10.1161/circgen.121.003510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading non-infectious cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although the etiology of CHD is poorly understood, genetic factors including copy number variants (CNVs) contribute to the risk of CHD in individuals of European ancestry. The presence of rare CNVs in African CHD populations is unknown. This study aimed to identify pathogenic and likely pathogenic CNVs in South African patients with CHD. METHODS Genotyping was performed on 90 patients with nonsyndromic CHD using the Affymetrix CytoScan HD platform. These data were used to identify large, rare CNVs in known CHD-associated genes and candidate genes. RESULTS We identified eight CNVs overlapping known CHD-associated genes (GATA4, CRKL, TBX1, FLT4, B3GAT3, NSD1) in six patients. The analysis also revealed CNVs encompassing five candidate genes likely to play a role in the development of CHD (DGCR8, KDM2A, JARID2, FSTL1, CYFIP1) in five patients. One patient was found to have 47, XXY karyotype. We report a total discovery yield of 6.7%, with 5.6% of the cohort carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs expected to cause the observed phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we show that chromosomal microarray is an effective technique for identifying CNVs in African patients diagnosed with CHD and have demonstrated results similar to previous CHD genetic studies in Europeans. Novel potential CHD genes were also identified, indicating the value of genetic studies of CHD in ancestrally diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Saacks
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
| | - James Eales
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.E., B.D.K.)
| | - Timothy F. Spracklen
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
- Department of Medicine, Cape Heart Institute (T.F.S., G.S., L.J.Z.)
| | - Thomas Aldersley
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
| | - Paul Human
- Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences (P.H., A.B.)
| | - Mark Verryn
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa (M.V., G.S.)
| | - John Lawrenson
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa (J.L., B.F.)
| | - Blanche Cupido
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences (B.C., L.J.Z.)
| | - George Comitis
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
| | - Rik De Decker
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
| | - Barend Fourie
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa (J.L., B.F.)
| | - Lenise Swanson
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
| | - Alexia Joachim
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
| | - Andre Brooks
- Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences (P.H., A.B.)
| | - Raj Ramesar
- MRC Genomic & Precision Medicine Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Dept of Pathology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa (R.R.)
| | - Gasnat Shaboodien
- Department of Medicine, Cape Heart Institute (T.F.S., G.S., L.J.Z.)
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa (M.V., G.S.)
| | - Bernard D. Keavney
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.E., B.D.K.)
| | - Liesl J. Zühlke
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health (N.A.S., T.F.S., T.A., J.L., G.C., R.D.D., L.S., A.J., L.J.Z.)
- Department of Medicine, Cape Heart Institute (T.F.S., G.S., L.J.Z.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences (B.C., L.J.Z.)
- South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town (L.J.Z.)
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Minja NW, Nakagaayi D, Aliku T, Zhang W, Ssinabulya I, Nabaale J, Amutuhaire W, de Loizaga SR, Ndagire E, Rwebembera J, Okello E, Kayima J. Cardiovascular diseases in Africa in the twenty-first century: Gaps and priorities going forward. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1008335. [PMID: 36440012 PMCID: PMC9686438 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1008335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2015, the United Nations set important targets to reduce premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths by 33% by 2030. Africa disproportionately bears the brunt of CVD burden and has one of the highest risks of dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. There is currently an epidemiological transition on the continent, where NCDs is projected to outpace communicable diseases within the current decade. Unchecked increases in CVD risk factors have contributed to the growing burden of three major CVDs-hypertension, cardiomyopathies, and atherosclerotic diseases- leading to devastating rates of stroke and heart failure. The highest age standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to hypertensive heart disease (HHD) were recorded in Africa. The contributory causes of heart failure are changing-whilst HHD and cardiomyopathies still dominate, ischemic heart disease is rapidly becoming a significant contributor, whilst rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has shown a gradual decline. In a continent where health systems are traditionally geared toward addressing communicable diseases, several gaps exist to adequately meet the growing demand imposed by CVDs. Among these, high-quality research to inform interventions, underfunded health systems with high out-of-pocket costs, limited accessibility and affordability of essential medicines, CVD preventive services, and skill shortages. Overall, the African continent progress toward a third reduction in premature mortality come 2030 is lagging behind. More can be done in the arena of effective policy implementation for risk factor reduction and CVD prevention, increasing health financing and focusing on strengthening primary health care services for prevention and treatment of CVDs, whilst ensuring availability and affordability of quality medicines. Further, investing in systematic country data collection and research outputs will improve the accuracy of the burden of disease data and inform policy adoption on interventions. This review summarizes the current CVD burden, important gaps in cardiovascular medicine in Africa, and further highlights priority areas where efforts could be intensified in the next decade with potential to improve the current rate of progress toward achieving a 33% reduction in CVD mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema W. Minja
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Doreen Nakagaayi
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wanzhu Zhang
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssinabulya
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Juliet Nabaale
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Willington Amutuhaire
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Sarah R. de Loizaga
- Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Emma Ndagire
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Emmy Okello
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - James Kayima
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Van den Eynde J, Manlhiot C, Van De Bruaene A, Diller GP, Frangi AF, Budts W, Kutty S. Medicine-Based Evidence in Congenital Heart Disease: How Artificial Intelligence Can Guide Treatment Decisions for Individual Patients. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:798215. [PMID: 34926630 PMCID: PMC8674499 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.798215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Built on the foundation of the randomized controlled trial (RCT), Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is at its best when optimizing outcomes for homogeneous cohorts of patients like those participating in an RCT. Its weakness is a failure to resolve a clinical quandary: patients appear for care individually, each may differ in important ways from an RCT cohort, and the physician will wonder each time if following EBM will provide best guidance for this unique patient. In an effort to overcome this weakness, and promote higher quality care through a more personalized approach, a new framework has been proposed: Medicine-Based Evidence (MBE). In this approach, big data and deep learning techniques are embraced to interrogate treatment responses among patients in real-world clinical practice. Such statistical models are then integrated with mechanistic disease models to construct a “digital twin,” which serves as the real-time digital counterpart of a patient. MBE is thereby capable of dynamically modeling the effects of various treatment decisions in the context of an individual's specific characteristics. In this article, we discuss how MBE could benefit patients with congenital heart disease, a field where RCTs are difficult to conduct and often fail to provide definitive solutions because of a small number of subjects, their clinical complexity, and heterogeneity. We will also highlight the challenges that must be addressed before MBE can be embraced in clinical practice and its full potential can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jef Van den Eynde
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven and Congenital and Structural Cardiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cedric Manlhiot
- Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexander Van De Bruaene
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven and Congenital and Structural Cardiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gerhard-Paul Diller
- Department of Cardiology III-Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart Disease, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Alejandro F Frangi
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven and Congenital and Structural Cardiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Centre for Computational Imaging and Simulation Technologies in Biomedicine (CISTIB), School of Computing and Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Schools of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Werner Budts
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven and Congenital and Structural Cardiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shelby Kutty
- Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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